NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
The City University of New York
DIVISION OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
ANTH 1101/ AN101
INTRODUCTORY ANTHROPOLOGY
3 cl. hrs.
3 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Certification in Reading and Writing
Revised Spring, 2013
By Professor Lisa Pope Fischer
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BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES
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The time allocated for each major subject in the course outline includes time spent in lecturing, discussion reviews
for exams, review of exam results, recording attendance, instruction in writing, papers instructions in how to carry
out research.
In no case was the assumption made that the subjects would be covered in a specific sequence. The time
allocations are to serve as approximations and are not to be rigidly adhered to. The Social Science faculty
recognize that there are many valid educational reasons why deviation from time approximations would be ideal.
These include but are not limited to student interest and recent development in tile field.
Students may be tested in may different ways; including essay examinations, short answer tests book evaluations,
and oral presentations. It is anticipated that the instructor will place heavy reliance upon methods which will test tie
students reading and writing skills, as entrance into Social Science courses is contingent on the student being
certified in these areas.
Standards of grading will be consistent with the standards listed in the college catalogue.
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BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES
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New York City College of Technology
Social Science Department
COURSE CODE: ANTH 1101
TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
Number of class hours, lab hours if applicable, credits: Class Hours: 3, Credits 3, BS Core
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces the students to the discipline of Anthropology. The major conclusions and evidence of
cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, scientific linguistics and archaeology are presented. The course
presents both physical and cultural components of man's evolution. Included in the course are discussions of
cultural universals such as marriage, religion, kinships, economics and political systems. The course includes
ethnographic data from Africa, Meso America, Australia, and Asia.
COURSE CO/PREREQUISITE (S):
RECOMMENDED/TYPICAL/REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S) and/or MATERIALS*
1) BOOK TITLE: The Essence of Anthropology
EDITION: ISBN13: #978-1-111-83344-2 or ISBN10: #1-111-83344-3
AUTHOR: William Haviland, Harald Prins, Dana Walrath, Bunny McBride
PUBLISHER: Wadsworth
COURSE OBJECTIVES: GENERAL
The course object is to make available to the student a scientific frame of reference as an approach to the
understanding of culture.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: SPECIFIC
1.
To acquaint the student with the basic concepts and perspectives of Anthropology through an
examination of the contributions of Anthropological literature and its influence on other sciences, both
physical and social.
2.
To develop an appreciation of the uniqueness of the human species through an understanding of
the evolutionary process.
3.
To develop an appreciation of cultural diversity, both ancient and contemporary, through the
exploration of Archeological and Anthropological findings.
4.
To understand the universal dimensions of culture and the cross cultural motivations of behavior
as well as their influence on social organization, political organization, religion, language, and
personality structures.
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Detailed Course Objectives
I.
Introduction
A. Define the discipline of Anthropology and debate whether it is possible to draw a clear line between
Anthropology and other social scientific disciplines, such as Sociology.
B. Drawing from your knowledge of problems and challenges facing the world today, discuss the ways
in which the study of Anthropology can be useful.
C. Identify the major contributors to the discipline of Anthropology and, drawing from your knowledge
of different cultures around the world, debate the strengths and weaknesses of the contributions that each
of these scholars has made.
D. Compare the different theoretical approaches used by anthropologists and give examples of research
questions that each of these approaches could make it possible to explore.
II. Physical Anthropology
A. Provide examples of the types of questions that a physical anthropologist might ask and explain how
s/he might go about researching them.
B. After explaining Darwin’s theory of evolution, explore this theory’s implications for our view of
humanity’s position in the world.
C. Discuss how specific characteristics of the human body may have contributed to people’s
development of culture.
D. Discuss the weaknesses of biological definitions of race and, drawing from history or current event,
explain the sense in which race is socially constructed.
III. Culture
A. Using examples from your own experience, explain the sense in which the learning of one’s culture is
the product of socialization processes.
B. Explain the difference between diffusion and independent invention and debate the relative
importance of each of these factors for cultural change.
C. Explain the sense in which culture can be seen as a strategy for survival and provide examples
illustrating such a view.
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D. Debate whether socialization and cultural transmission facilitate or hinder cultural change.
IV. Archaeology
A. Provide three examples of how a physical anthropologist and an archaeologist might collaborate.
B. Debate whether archaeological monuments displayed in Western museums should be returned to their
places of origin.
C. Debate the conditions under which modern infrastructural projects should be allowed to displace the
archaeological findings that such projects sometimes uncover.
D. Provide examples of two questions an archaeologist might be interested in and discuss how s/he
might go about researching them.
V. Linguistic Anthropology
A. Provide three examples of how a linguistic anthropologist and cultural anthropologist might
collaborate.
B. Debate whether discourse can be used as a form of inequality.
C. Provide examples of two questions a Linguistic anthropologist might be interested in and discuss
how s/he might go about researching them.
VI. ECONOMY AND CULTURE
A. Drawing on the history of social systems, discuss the connection between levels of technological
development and the economic systems of human societies.
B. Drawing on the history of social systems, debate whether social and class inequalities are an
inevitable feature of human society.
C. Discuss the connection between technological development and changing forms of energy provision
and debate the seriousness of the problems that our society faces as a result of our dependence on fossil
fuels.
D. Debate the advantages and disadvantages of economic systems that are based on extensive division of
labor.
VII. Social Organization
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A. Discuss the difference between nuclear and extended families and debate whether the former is better
adapted to the requirements of modern socio-economic systems.
B. Debate the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear, as opposed to extended, families.
C. By making reference to kinship systems from around the world and from different periods of human
history, debate whether such systems are best understood as functional adaptations to social and
historical conditions or as reflections of power imbalances between privileged and opressed groups.
D. Identify a taboo in our culture and debate whether this taboo can be said to have a positive function
for our society.
VIII. Politics and Culture
A. Using examples from history, other cultures, and contemporary American politics, explain the
meaning of the term status and the link between status and political power.
B. Using examples from history, other cultures, and contemporary American politics, debate whether the
various political systems in the course of human history are best understood as functional responses to
changing social and historical conditions or reflections of power imbalances between privileged and
opressed social groups.
C. Using examples from other societies and periods as well as from contemporary American reality,
debate whether the state tends to perpetuate or alleviate socio-economic inequalities.
D. Compare the political system in the United States today to other political systems discussed in this
chapter and debate our political system’s strengths and weaknesses.
IX. Religion
A. Identify the positive social functions of a belief or ritual practice in your native religion.
B. Identify a belief or ritual practice in your native religion that could be said to perpetuate social
inequality.
C. Using examples from history or from contemporary American reality, discuss how religion can have
an influence over, and be influenced by, the following spheres of social life:
Economy
Politics
Social Organization
D. Compare the different theories of the origin of religion and, drawing from your own experience of
religion, debate the strengths and weaknesses of each of these theories.
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SAMPLE SEQUENCE OF TOPICS AND TIME ALLOCATIONS (week by week, day by day, etc.)*
I.
INTRODUCTION (WEEK 1-3)
A.
Anthropology
1.
Definition
2.
Anthropology and the other sciences
3.
The focus of Anthropology
4.
The history of Anthropology as a social science
5.
The uses of Anthropology today
B.
The Schools of Anthropological Investigation
1.
The historical approach
2.
The Evolutionary approach
3.
The Functionalist approach
4.
The Culture and Personality approach
5.
major contributors and their theoretical positions
6.
Differences in method and technique
GOING OVER THE 4 FIELDS OF ANTHROPOLOGY
II.
PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
A.
The Early Primates
1.
The classification system
2.
The morphological comparisons of the tree shrews, lemurs, tarsiers
3.
The classificatory system of organisms from Kingdom to Species and the position of
Homo Sapiens in that system
4.
The Chordates and Mammals
5.
The Old World and New World monkeys
6.
The Anthropoid Apes and their relationship to other forms on the evolutionary scale.
B.
Homid Forms
I.
The Australopithecinae
2.
Homo Erectus
3.
The Neanderthals
4.
Cro-Magnon culture
5.
Dating the fossil remains and assessing the evidence
C.
Races of Mankind
1.
The definition of race
2.
Racial fallacies
3.
Racist theorists and their nonscientific frame of reference
4.
The morphological evidence
a.
cephalic index
b.
prognathism
c.
dentition
d.
cranial capacity
e.
color of skin
f.
height
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II. .
g.
blood groups
5.
The genetic basis of racial differences
6.
The effects of natural selection, mutation, and adaptation of genetic characters
7.
Classification Schema
ARCHEOLOGY
A.
The Methods of Archeological Research
1.
Classical versus Prehistoric archeology
2.
Dating techniques and their value
a.
relative dating
b.
absolute dating
c.
Carbon 14
d.
dendrochronology (tree ring dating)
e.
Potassium Argon-40
f.
geological evidence
g.
glacial periods
3.
Time scale: The geological and cultural eras.
III.
LINGUISTIC
A. The methods of Linguistic research
1.
Theoretical approaches (Sapir Whorf, Structural Linguistics, Discourse, etc.)
2.
Real world application
3.
Issues of social inequality as expressed in language
IV. CULTURE
A.
The Nature of Culture
1.
Learning and socialization
2.
Culture areas of North America, Africa, Asia, South America
3.
Diffusion versus independent invention
4.
Culture complex, theme, trait, center, focus
B.
The Physical and Intellectual Requirements of Culture
1.
Culture as a self perpetuating yet changing phenomenon
2.
The integrating and cohesive aspect of culture
V. METHODOLOGY
A. Fieldwork Methods
1. Working in the field
a. field site
b. gaining rapport
c. Exchanges & Gift Giving
d. Microcultures and fieldwork
e. Culture shock
2. Fieldwork Techniques
a. Interview techniques
b. Participant observation
c. Life History Interviews
3. Recording Culture
a. Tools and technology
b. fieldnotes
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4. Ethics and Responsibility
a. Human subjects Protection
b. Informed consent
c. Pseudonym
d. Code of ethics
ANALYZING SOCIETIES: (Economic Systems, Demography, Family/Kinship, Political Systems,
Ideology/Worldview, Artistic Expression, etc.)
VI.
ECONOMY AND CULTURE (WEEKS 4)
A.
B.
C.
Technological Levels
1.
Hunters and Gatherers
2.
Pastoralists
3.
Agriculturalists and Horticulturalists
4.
Machine Cultures
5.
The Concept of Energy as related to Culture
Influence of Economy on Culture
1.
Social Organization
2.
Political Organization
3.
Religious Institutions
4.
Art
5.
Population Density
Economic Institutions
1.
Division of Labor, simple and complex (Tiwi of Australia)
2.
Trade and symbiosis (e.g., The Kula of the Trobriand Islands)
3.
All purpose money as a concept
4.
Markets (e.g., Africa Dahomey, etc.)
5.
Collecting, Producing and Redistributing Principles
6.
Cooperation and competition at each level of economic pursuit
7.
Wealth and Prestige (e.g., The Northwest Coast Potlatch)
VII. DEMOGRAPHICS (WEEK 5)
1. Mode of Reproduction and Human Development
A. Look at differences in different forms of societies:
a. Foragers
b. Horticultural
c. Pastoral
d. Agricultural
e. Post Industrial
2. Birth rates
3. Death rates (Mortality)
4. Migration
5. Ethnic variation and composition of groups
VIII.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION (WEEK 6)
A.
Units of Social Organization
1.
Family (nuclear, extended)
2.
Lineage (Clan Moiety)
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3.
IX.
X.
Village, band, tribe, nation
B.
Lineality and Locality
1.
Matrilineality, patrilineality, bilineality
2.
Matrilocality; patrilocality, unxorilocality, virilocality, neolocality, avunculocal residence
3.
Effects of residence patterns on social life
C.
Comparisons of Kinship Systems
1.
Eskimo
2.
Hawaiian
3.
Iroquois Dakota
4.
Omaha
5.
Crow
D.
The Effects of Social Organization on Culture
1.
Marriage, incest, taboos, inheritance, territoriality
2.
Political Organization
3.
Caste and class, ascribed and achieved status (e.g., Natchez India, etc.).
4.
Role of male and female
a.
social
b.
economic
5.
Religion
6.
Bride Price, Dowry
7.
Monogamy, Polygny, Polyandry, Levirate, Sororate, other forms
8.
Divorce (cross-cultural comparisons)
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (WEEKS 7-8)
A.
The Levels of SocioCultural Integration
1.
Leadership based upon personality (e.g., Australia)
2.
Chiefs and councils (e.g., Polynesia, N.A. Indian)
3.
Confederacy (e.g., Iroguoise)
4.
Kingdom (e.g., Africa)
5.
States and Control (e.g., Aztec, Inca)
B.
The Influence of Politics on Culture
1.
Land
a.
natural resources
b.
territoriality
2.
Status and prestige
3.
Centralized versus non centralized authority
4.
Law and precedent
5.
Wealth and Politics
6.
Religion and Politics
RELIGION (WEEKS 9-10)
A.
The Basic Aspects of Religion
1.
Concepts of Power
a.
the Supernatural
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b.
Shamans
c.
Priests
d.
Religious practioners
2.
Ritual and its functions
3.
Codes and taboos
4.
Mana and orenda
5.
Mythology and its relationship to Ritual
6.
Medicine, health and curing, ethnobotany and faith
B.
Theories of the Origin of Religion
1.
Animism, the concept of the soul, (Tyler)
2.
Ancestor Worship and Totemism (Spencer)
3.
Collective Representations (Durkheim)
4.
High God (Schmidt)
5.
Mystic Experience (Hauer)
6.
The relationship between magic and religion. Functions and types of magic.
The Influence of Religion on Other Social Spheres
1.
Economy
2.
Politics
3.
Social Organization
XI. Art and Expression (Week 11-12)
1. Dance
2. Material arts
3. Oral arts & Music
4. Folklore and Popular Culture
5. Architecture
6. Play, games, and leisure
7. Art and Religion
8. Art and Health
XII. Medical Anthropology (Week 13)
1.Disease & Illness
2. Forms of Healing
3.Medical Practitioners
4.Ethnomedicine
5. Applied anthropology
6. Theoretical approaches to medical anthropology
XIII. Psychological Anthropology (Week 14)
1.Identity
2. Roles
3.Groups
4. Cross cultural studies and perspectives
XIV. Contemporary Cultural Change (Week 15)
1. Developmental anthropology
2. Globalization and Transnationalism
3. Immigration
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COURSE OUTLINE
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COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Have an understanding of the four fields of
Anthropology (Biological, Archeological, Linguistic,
Culture),.
2. Have an understanding of 4 fields Anthropological
theories, their methods, and fieldwork.
3. Have an understanding of basic Anthropological
concepts (ie emic/etic, culture, cultural
relativism/ethnocentrism, Kinship, etc.)
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. Project and questions on exams.
4. Have an understanding of a variety of cultures and
societies (Foragers, Pastoralists, Horticultural,
Agricultural, Post Industrial forms; Africa, Asia,
Europe, South America, etc.)
4. Questions on exams and essay question on final.
2. Project, Final Exam Essay question and Multiple
choice questions.
3. Questions on exams and Project
ASSIGNMENTS and other course requirements*
Students are expected to attend the lectures and to have read the assigned reading. The final grade will be based
on three exams (30%), class attendance and participation (10%), a research project (30%), and a final exam
(30%). Exams are based on the readings and lecture presentations.. In order to receive credit for class
attendance the student must arrive on time, and attend for the full course period. The participation grade
includes reading before each class and contribute comments in class (i.e. Raise hand and make comments NOT
reading a book in the back of the room nor playing on a computer, text messaging, passing notes, talking to a
friend, etc.). In the paper the student need to use the themes and concepts from the course in an analytical essay
The final exam is cumulative consisting of multiple choice and essay questions. Plagiarism will not be tolerated
and may result in an automatic “F” and a formal report to the Academic Integrity Committee. See Academic
Integrity Statement below.
METHOD OF GRADING – elements and weight of factors determining students’ grade*
Exams (30%), class attendance and participation (10%), a research project (30%), and a final exam (30%).
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY STATEMENT
Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other
intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing
sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for
providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and
responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty
is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is
punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the College
policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the catalog.
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COURSE OUTLINE
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COLLEGE POLICY ON ABSENCE/LATENESS
A student may be absent without penalty for 10% of the number of scheduled class meetings during the
semester as follows:
Class Meets Allowable Absence
1 time/week 2 classes
2 times/week 3 classes
3 times/week 4 classes
Reviewed/Revised by:
Dr. Lisa Pope Fischer Date: 1/24/13
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abusharaf, Rogaia Mustafa. 2002. Wanderings – Sudanese Migrants and Exiles in North America. Ithaca,
NY: Cornell University Press.
Anderson, B. 1991. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, rev. ed.
London: Verso.
Appiah, K. A. 1990. ‘Racisms.’ In Anatomy of Racism, ed. David Theo Goldberg, pp. 3-17. Minneapolis:
University of Minnesota Press.
Arrighi, G. 1994. The Long Twentieth Century: Money, Power, and the Origins of Our Times. New York:
Verso.
Benedict, R. 1934, Patterns of Culture. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Blue, Gregory, Martin Bunton, and Ralph Croizier (eds.) 2002. Colonialism and the Modern World. Armonk,
NY: M.E. Sharpe.
Boyd, Robert, 2005 How Humans Evolved 3rd Edition W.W. Norton & Co.
Chomsky, N. 1957, Syntactic Structures. The Hague: Mouton.
Eckert, P., and S. McConnell-Ginet. 2003. Language and Gender. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Falk, Dean, 2006, Primate Diversity, Norton & Co.
Friedman, J. (ed.) 2002. Globalization, the State, and Violence. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira.
Gmelch, George, and Walter P. Zenner (eds.) 2002. Urban Life: Readings in the Anthropology of the City, 4th
edition. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.
Harris, M. 1967, The myth of the sacred cow. Natural History Magazine. 76, 76, 612a.
Klein, R. G., with B. Edgar. 2002. The Dawn of Human Culture. New York: Wiley.
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COURSE OUTLINE
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Levi-Strauss, C. 1966, The Savage Mind. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Lomax, A. et. al. 1968, Folk Song Style and Culture. Association for the Advancement of Science, Publication
#88, Washington, D.C.
Malinowski, B. 1961, Argonauts of the Western Pacific. New York: Dutton.
Malinowski, B. 1955, Magic, Science and Religion. Garden City, New York: Anchor Books.
Mead, M. 1949, Coming of Age in Samoa. New York: Mentor Books.
Mead, M. 1935, Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies. New York: William Morrow.
Merton, R. K. 1951, ‘Manifest and Latent Functions’. In Social Theory and Social Structure. 1984, New
York: Free Press.
Miner, H. 1956, ‘Body Rituals among the Nacirema’. American Anthropologist. 58, 503-507.
Olson, Steve. 2003. Mapping Human History: Genes, Race, and our Common Origins, 1st Mariner Books
edition. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Price, T. D. 2000. Europe’s First Farmers. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Radcliffe Brown, A. R. 1952, Structure and Function in Primitive Society. New York: Free Press.
Robin, Mitchell and Regina Spires, "Father absence Cross Culturally." in Cross Cultural Research in Human
Development. edited by Leonore Loeb Adler, Praeger, New York, 1989.
Russell, Bernard H. 2002. Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods, 3rd
edition. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press.
Whorf, B. L. 1956, Language, Thought and Reality. Carol, J. ed. Cambridge: M. I. T. Press.
Wilson, C. 1975, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis. Cambridge: Belknap Press.
Wittfogel, K. 1957, Oriental Despotism. New Haven: Yale University Press.
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SAMPLE SYLLABUS:
SYLLABUS –Spring 2013
New York City College of Technology
Social Science Department
COURSE CODE: 1101, sec 6700
TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY, Mon Wed 8:30-9:45 Namm 701A
Number of class hours, lab hours if applicable, credits: Class Hours: 3, Credits 3, BS Core
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Lisa Pope Fischer
LPopeFischer@citytech.cuny.edu
718-260-5742
Namm 627, Office Hours Mondays 1-2
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a general introduction to anthropology that looks at how anthropologists study cultural and physical aspects
of humankind. We will explore a range of societies and methods anthropologists study. This course covers such topics as
economic systems, population dynamics, kinship, political systems, religion, art, medicine, as well as globalization, power
relations and ethics. This course covers cross cultural ethnographic data including Africa, Meso-America, Australia, and
Asia.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S) and/or MATERIALS*
1) BOOK TITLE: The Essence of Anthropology
EDITION: ISBN13: #978-1-111-83344-2 or ISBN10: #1-111-83344-3
AUTHOR: William Haviland, Harald Prins, Dana Walrath, Bunny McBride
PUBLISHER: Wadsworth
2) Additional materials will be posted on Blackboard (access thru CUNY portal), or may be available on JSTOR (click on
the city tech library website, select “article” search, select database (JSTOR), search by author’s name, title of article,
&/or key words.
SEQUENCE OF TOPICS AND TIME ALLOCATIONS (week by week.)*
SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
WEEK 1 (Classes Begin: Monday January 28, 2013) Monday 1/28, Wednesday 1/30
[Topics include but are not limited to the following: Course outline and requirements, Anthropology methodology,
what is culture? What are the 4 fields of Anthropology? Intro to Darwinism & the Biological orientation. Key terms
and concepts, theoretical approaches to anthropology.]
 Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al Ch. 1 "The Essence of Anthropology” and CH
2 “Biology and Evolution”
Divide class into 4 groups – What are the 4 fields of anthropology? Each group will present their findings
WEEK 15 (12/3 & 12/5). Discuss one scholarly article and one famous anthropologist. (I can give
suggestions).
SECTION 2 –OVERVIEW OF 4 FIELDS
WEEK 2: Monday 2/4 Wednesday 2/6 [Topics: Biological/Physical Anthropology]
 Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 3 “Living Primates” and CH 4 “Human
Evolution?”
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WEEK 3: Monday 2/11, Wednesday 2/13 [Topics: Archeology]
 Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 5 “The Neolithic Revolution” CH 6 ‘The
Emergence of Cities and States”
WEEK 4: ) Monday 2/18 (No classes Washington B-Day), Wednesday 2/20 (Monday classes meet on Wednesday)
[Topics: Intro to Cultural Anthropology, Linguistics & Applied Anthropology; General Characteristics of Forager
Societies (Film: Dobe Ju’Hoansi)]
 Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 8: The Characteristics of Culture”, CH 9
“Language and Communication”, * You should prepare for your first midterm next week on Monday.
WEEK 5: Monday 2/25, Wednesday 2/27
** YOUR MIDTERM EXAM WILL BE THIS WEEK – SECTIONS 1 AND 2, WEEKS 1-5
SECTION 3 –ANALYZING SOCIETIES
Please note that there is less reading in this section as you are expected to be actively working on your group poster
presentation.
PART I: INFRASTRUCTURE – Mode of Production (material constraints such as environment, technology, forms
of exchange), and Mode of Reproduction (material constraints of demography & population dynamics such as
birth rates, death rates, migration). Infrastructure is considered the foundation of societies that predicts or
influences all other aspects of that society (structure and superstructure). Types of societies include: Foragers,
Pastoralists, Horticultural societies, Agricultural Societies, Post Industrial societies.
WEEK 6: Monday 3/4, Wednesday 3/6 Topics: mode of production: Environment, Technology, Exchange
(Economic Systems)
 Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 11 “Subsistence and Exchange”
POSTER HOMEWORK: What is the topic of your group poster? Hand in a brief description of the topic
your group will focus on. Turn in a list of each student and what assignment they will do for the project, with
due date. At least 2 students per task: 1. Research methods, 2. Research article, 3. Research results and
findings, 4. Thesis statement, 5. Abstract, 6. Bibliography, 7. Miscellaneous: such as powerpoint, images,
graphics, etc.
WEEK 7: Monday 3/11, Wednesday 3/13 Topics: mode of reproduction: Demography, birth rate, death rate,
migration.
overview of general characteristics of Pastoral Society (Masai Woman)
 Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 12 “Sex, Marriage, and Family”
POSTER HOMEWORK: Write a detailed description of the research methods typically used by an
anthropologist in your sub-discipline. (Must cover: Selection criteria, procedures, ethics)
PART II: STRUCTURE: Domestic Economy ( Forms of family organization, kinship, marriage patterns), Political
Economy (Forms of leadership, political organization, warfare). The infrastructure influences what type of
structure will be found in a particular type of society. Structure deals with how the individual connects to the
group (group cohesion).
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WEEK 8: Monday 3/18, Wednesday 3/20 Topics: Domestic Economy, general characteristics of Horticultural
Societies, Ethics of doing Fieldwork
Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 13 “Kinship and Other Forms of Grouping”
POSTER HOMEWORK: Hand in a brief 2 page description of the research article your group has chosen from a
peer reviewed academic journal. (This is not information from a website. You can find academic journal articles
on the City Tech Library databases. JSTOR and Wilson are good databases in which to search for an academic
research article). I will post your groups’ selected article on Blackboard as all students will be expected to read
them. The final exam will have questions related to these articles.
*SPRING RECESS 3/25-3/2 9 (Classes Resume 4/3)
WEEK 9: , Monday 4/1 (still Spring break), Wednesday 4/3 –mid-semester evaluation begins Topics: Domestic
Economy (family relations, kin, marriage, etc.) , general characteristics of Agricultural Societies.
Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 14: “Politics, Power, and Violence”
POSTER HOMEWORK: Hand in a description of your research results and findings.
WEEK 10: Monday 4/8, Wednesday 4/10
*SECOND MIDTERM EXAM: Covers section 3, parts I & II, weeks 6-10.
PART III: SUPERSTRUCTURE: (Belief systems, magic, witchcraft, religion, worldview, Cultural Expressions,
Art, Music, Dance, Folktales, Myths, Sports, Food, Television, Movies, etc.) The Infrastructure influences the type
of superstructure that will be found in a particular society. Superstructure deals with the expression of values and
beliefs.
WEEK 11: Monday 4/15, Wednesday 4/17 Topics: Religion, Magic, Witchcraft, and Spirit possession; and general
characteristics of agricultural society.
Mandatory Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 15 “Spirituality and Religion” and article on JSTOR:
Chidester, David (1996) “The Church of Baseball, the Fetish of Coca-Cola, and the Potlatch of Rock 'n' Roll:
Theoretical Models for the Study of Religion in American Popular Culture” Journal of the American Academy of
Religion, Vol. 64, No. 4, Thematic Issue on "Religion and American Popular Culture" (Winter, 1996), pp. 743-765.
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1465620
POSTER HOMEWORK: Hand in your thesis statement.
WEEK 12: Monday 4/22, Wednesday 4/24 Topics: Art and Expressive Culture, general Characteristics of Post
Industrial Societies
Mandatory Article Reading Assignments available on JSTOR:
Chibnik, Michael (2006) “Oaxacan Wood Carvings in the World of Fine Art: Aesthetic Judgments of a Tourist Craft” in
Journal of Anthropological Research , Vol. 62, No. 4 (Winter, 2006), pp. 491-512.
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20371077
I'Anson-Sparks , Justin and Maruška Svašek (1999) “Post-Communist Personality Cults'. The Limits of Humour and
Play” Etnofoor , Vol. 12, No. 2, PERSONALITY CULTS (1999), pp. 117-131.
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25757968
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 POSTER HOMEWORK: Hand in your abstract.
WEEK 13: Monday 4/29, Wednesday 5/1 Topics: Art and Expressive Culture, continued, Nature vs. Culture?
Mandatory reading from textbook: CH16: “Global Changes and the Role of Anthropology” & article on JSTOR:
Traphagan, John W. and L. Keith Brown (2002) “Fast Food and Intergenerational Commensality in Japan: New Styles
and Old Patterns” Ethnology , Vol. 41, No. 2 (Spring, 2002), pp. 119-134.
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4153002
POSTER HOMEWORK: Hand in your bibliography.
SECTION 4 –POSTER PRESENTATIONS:
WEEK 14: Monday 5/6, Wednesday 5/8 Topics: Finish up lectures and prepare for poster projects.
 Topics: Cultural Diversity, Issues of identity & resistance, Medical Anthropology, Psychological
Anthropology.
Mandatory Textbook Reading Assignment: Haviland et al CH 7 “Modern Human Diversity –Race & Racism”
& CH 10 “ Social Identity, Personality, and Gender”
 Mandatory Homework: Finish up work on your poster projects:
WEEK 15: Monday 5/13, Wednesday 5/15 (Attendance is mandatory)
GROUP PRESENTATION ON MONDAY 12/3: Posters that address the question “What is Anthropology?”
1. Biological Anthropology. Group 1A: 8:30-8:45, Group 1B: 8:45-9:00
2. Anthropological Archaeology. Group 2A: 9:00-9:15, Group 2B: 9:15-9:30
GROUP PRESENTATION ON WEDNESDAY 12/5:
3. Linguistic Anthropology Group 3A: 8:30-8:45, Group 3B: 8:45-9:00
4. Cultural Anthropology Group 4A: 9:00-9:15, Group 4B: 9:15-9:30
WEEK 16: FINALS 5/17-23
*Final Exam for this class Monday May 20, 2013
 Mandatory Homework: Prepare for the final exam. Look over the key words and concepts listed in the textbook and
presented in lecture. Review the readings, films, and lecture material to prepare for the short essay questions. Think about some
of the major concepts or themes we have covered in the course. Be able to define "cultural materialism" and the 5 different
modes of production described in class (Foragers, Pastoralists, Horticultural society, Agricultural society, Post Industrial
Society).
COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Have an understanding of Anthropological Fieldwork
2. Have an understanding of classic Anthropological theories
3. Have an understanding of basic Anthropological concepts (i.e. 4
fields of Anthro., emic/etic, culture, cultural relativism/ethnocentrism,
Kinship, etc.)
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. Group Poster Presentation and questions on exams.
2. Final Exam Essay question and Multiple-choice questions.
3. Questions on exams and Group Poster Projects.
4. Have an understanding of a variety of cultures and societies
4. Questions on exams and essay question on final.
ASSIGNMENTS and other course requirements*
Students are expected to attend the lectures and to have read the assigned reading. The final grade will be based on two
“pop” midterm exams (30%), class attendance and participation (10%), a group poster presentation project (30%), and a
final exam (30%). Students will need to bring a #2 pencil for the exams. Midterm exams are based on the readings and
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lecture presentations. The final exam consists of multiple choice and essay questions. There will be no make-up exams.
In order to receive credit for class attendance you must arrive on time, and attend for the full course period. Your
participation grade includes reading before each class because I expect you to participate and contribute comments in
class (i.e. Raise your hand and make comments NOT reading a book in the back of the room nor playing on a computer,
text messaging, passing notes, talking to a friend, etc.). There is a detailed description of the poster project that will be
handed out in class and posted on Blackboard. In this project each group describes, “What is anthropology?” You should
be working on this project throughout the entire semester. I do not offer extra credit however you can improve your grade
by working with the City Tech tutors. You can come to my office hours to discuss any issues or concerns you might have.
I will not read drafts of your papers but I will be happy to review materials during my office hours. Ethnographic films
will be shown throughout the course depending on time and availability. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and may result
in an automatic “F” and a formal report to the Academic Integrity Committee. See Academic Integrity Statement below.
METHOD OF GRADING – elements and weight of factors determining students’ grade*
2 Exams (30%), class attendance and participation (10%), a group poster project (30%), and a final exam (30%).
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY STATEMENT
Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and
honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing
instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic
integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by
penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the College policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the catalog.
COLLEGE POLICY ON ABSENCE/LATENESS
A student may be absent without penalty for 10% of the number of scheduled class meetings during the semester. As this class meets 2 times/week the student is
allowed 3 class absents.
Semester course is taught: Fall 2012
CAMPUS RESOURCES THAT MAY HELP YOU IN THIS CLASS
Atrium Learning Center: Atrium Building G-18, Director: Judith Rockway, Phone: 718.260.5874, jrockway@citytech.cuny.edu
The Atrium Learning Center (ALC) through its extensive computer labs, workshops and tutoring offers assistance to students across the entire college population.
Tutors can help you develop a thesis statement and topic sentences.
The Student Support Services Program (SSSP): Atrium Building 237 (A-237)
Director: Faith Fogelman, Voice: 718.260.5143, TTY: 718.260.5443, Fax: 718.254.8539, ffogelman@citytech.cuny.edu
Student Support's mission is to provide students with disabilities -- physical/hidden/learning, affective mood disorders and temporary conditions -- with the tools,
services and accommodations necessary for achievement. All initiatives focus on academic success for retention, graduation and transition to professional employment.
Student Computing Helpdesk: Namm First Floor Information Booth, Phone: 718.260.4900 E
-mail: helpdesk@campus.citytech.cuny.edu
Counseling Services Center: Namm Hall (N-108), Director: Cynthia Bink, Phone (Namm): 718.260.5030
The mission of the Counseling Services Center is to support and promote the educational, psychological and career development of students. Our focus is on offering
counseling services that will help you succeed in college. Please take a few minutes to explore our web site and learn about our workshops as well as our individual and
support group services.
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